Local SEO is the process of optimising your presence on search engines for your brick and mortar store or service industry. It helps businesses promote their products and services to local customers at the exact time they’re looking for them.
Localised search engine optimisation uses a variety of strategies to get your site ranked on search engines like Google, business directories such as Yelp, Yellowbook, Google My Business listing, Bing Places for Business page, content on your website, online reviews and other strategies.
Why is local SEO important?
⦁ One in two Google searches are performed with local intent.
⦁ 64% of local customers use search engines and directories as their main way to find local business.
⦁ 78% of local mobile searches result in an offline purchase.
The research demonstrates that individuals primarily use search engines to find local business. Furthermore the companies which offer the best solution frequently result in a purchase of their service or product.
What are the key steps to great local SEO?
⦁ Become acquainted with SEO, check out our article on it. Understanding the key factors which drive a strong domain authority and rank your website will kickstart your local SEO results.
⦁ Sign up to Google my business. Registering your business on Google’s database will allow it to be added to services like local searches, Google Maps and Google+ pages. Once Google has found you in their records, they can begin to parse through your online content and to begin to display it on their search engines.
⦁ Ensure good reputation management. Responding to all of your business reviews, like Google reviews promptly will display you to search engines as a reliable and trustworthy company worth promoting. If Google finds you have consistent high ratings shows a good indicators your business may be worth sharing with similar individuals.
⦁ Focus on local link building. Receiving links from local companies, newspapers and bloggers is a highly effective way to generate a strong local SEO presence. If Google detects influencers and companies sharing your content because it contains value, it will be perceived by search engines as having high authority.
Conclusion
If you’re a business with a physical office/shop this is a key marketing strategy for you. Displaying prominence on search engines when your target audience is searching for your services is a highly effective way to increase your brand exposure and become the first solution to their query. Although SEO can be an overwhelming topic if you follow these four steps and begin implementing them as part of your own marketing efforts you will begin to find an increase in your online presence within search engines locally.
We suggesting reading this article for more Shopify SEO Tips.